Vernon 7 Alberni Valley 3

I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and been watching/following Junior hockey in Vernon my entire life. I have had season tickets since 1990 and only missed four Vipers home games since 2004. In the past thirty years I have missed 45 home games. I'm not a sports journalist, writer, reporter or work for the Vernon Vipers. I do not get paid for this blog, and do this blog on my own personal time. I started and created this blog in November 2008 and have had over 1.7 million viewers. For anyone who couldn't attend or watch tonight's Vipers game, here are my thought's and views from tonight's game. You may agree or disagree but we all have our own opinion on the game. I try to be professional and give a fare game recap from both sides. Thank you for visiting my blog.

I was at tonight's Vipers-Bulldogs game as Vernon defeated Alberni Valley 7-3 in front of 1,991 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Reilly Herbst
Alberni Valley: Luke Pearson

1st Period: The visiting Alberni Valley Bulldogs got the early jump on the hometown Vipers. Inside the opening minute, the Bulldogs would jump on the games first power play. Seconds into the man advantage Ryan Doolin with a quick shot from the slot, forced Reilly Herbst into making a big right pad save early. Landon Fuller with two big hits, got the crowd into the game early as the Bulldogs would only manage one shot on the PP as the Vipers killed off the minor. Just as the penalty expired, the Snakes couldn't clear the zone, allowing Jacob Bosse to setup Dawson Tritt in front, giving Alberni Valley the early 1-0 lead at 2:31 Bosse drew the lone assist. The Dawgs kept pressing and had the early edge in play. Viper forward/captain Connor Marritt took a puck to the side of the head, was a little slow getting up, had the trainer take a look at him, went to the bench but stayed in the game. Just before the halfway mark, Dawson Holt with a quality chance, couldn't solve Luke Pearson who made a big pad stop, his first real test of the evening. This opportunity seemed to give a little boost to the Snakes as minutes later, Colby Feist setup Matt Kowalski who unloaded a wicked wrist shot from the circle, beating Luke Pearson high glove, tying the game 1-1 at 10:45 Feist with the helper. A few shifts later, Jackson Caller's point shot would find it's way through traffic, but couldn't beat Luke Pearson who managed to make a big stop with bodies in front. Minutes later Grayson Valente's shot from the blueline, would be denied by Reilly Herbst. On the following play or two, Matt Kowalski with his second of the game, gave Vernon a 2-1 lead at 14:01 Landon Fuller collected the assist. Off the following faceoff, Dawson Holt looked to give Vernon a 3-1 lead seconds later, looked to beat Luke Pearson high blocker, as the puck looked to go in and out of the net in a hurry. The goal light didn't come on and with no signal from the official, the play continued. Holt and the Vipers thought they had scored. As the play continued, Matt Kowalski found some open ice, used his wheels to pull away from the play, ripped a wicked shot from the circle, forced Luke Pearson into making a big stop. On the first stoppage in play, the officials didn't get together and talk about the missed goal and no complaints from the Viper bench, as the game continued. Shortly after River Fahey spotted Caige Sterzer back door, tying the game 2-2 at 17:03 Fahey & Grayson Valente picked up the helpers. The Vipers responded with a good push back shift. Twenty three seconds later, Trey Taylor's shot would be redirected in front by former West Kelowna Warriors forward Max Bulawka giving Vernon a 3-2 lead at 17:26 Taylor and Dawson Holt with the assists on Bulawka's first as a Viper. On the following shift, the Snakes would get there first look with the man advantage. The Vipers only managed a single shot as Alberni Valley killed off the penalty to finish the period. It was 3-2 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. For a team who played last night, lost in overtime and had to travel to Vernon, I liked the Bulldogs game early. Alberni Valley with a good start on the road, had the early jump on the hometown Snakes. AV opened the scoring, had the early pressure, but didn't create or generate a whole lot of opportunities. It took the Vipers a good six or seven minutes to get there legs going and find there game, but Vernon responded towards the midway mark and into the second half. Matt Kowalski with back to back goals just over three minutes apart, got the crowd into the game and gave the Snakes some momentum. The Vipers struggled in there own end early. Were turning over pucks, had troubles clearing the zone. Vernon played fairly physical early, as Landon Fuller with some big hits. I'm surprised the Vipers didn't argue the no goal? Unless my eyes were seeing something else, I swear that puck was in. The Bulldogs were the better team for most of the first half, while the Snakes were the better team in the second half. Vernon outshot Alberni Valley 16-6.

2nd Period: Off the opening faceoff, Matthew Grouchy would get between two Viper defenders and manage to get a shot off that forced Vipers starting goaltender Reilly Herbst into making a big stop, before stopping Mitch Deelstra on the rebound. Two big stops on back to back chances for the AV Bulldogs. Shortly after Matt Kowalski setup Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell who ripped a quick shot high past Bulldogs starting goaltender Luke Pearson, giving Vernon an early 4-2 lead at 1:24 Kowalski and Colby Feist picked up the helpers. Vernon then got into penalty trouble and was forced to kill off three straight penalties. The Dawgs struggled with the first PP as Connor Sleeth with a quality look/chance couldn't beat Luke Pearson shortside. A big stop for the Bulldogs on the man advantage. AV with only a single shot couldn't capitalize with the power play. On the next back to back power play's the Bulldogs had some good looks/opportunities. Reilly Herbst had to be sharp, was forced to make some big stops while on the PK. Towards the end of the third PP Herbst come across the blue paint to make a massive stop on Jacob Bosse who looked to have a wide open cage. Herbst got a rousing ovations from the Viper faithful. In the second half, Matthew Grouchy and Isaac Pascoal couldn't connect on an odd man rush. I didn't see what happened but Trey Taylor was on his knees in the neutral zone, was slow getting to his feet. Was shaking one of his hands as he stayed in the game and joined the play. Taylor would finish his shift, before making his way to the bench. Taylor took off one of his gloves and was looking at his finer/thumb but seemed to be ok and stayed in the hockey game. Towards the end of the middle frame, the Snakes would get a late power play, that wouldn't last long before taking a penalty of there own, sending both teams to four on four. Inside the final minute, Jackson Caller's blast from the top of the circle handcuffed Luke Pearson, caught the goaltender high, on one of Vernon's few opportunities this period. It was 4-2 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. The Bulldogs carried the better of the play for most of the period. AV had the Vipers on the PK for almost six straight minutes with three straight PP's. The Dawgs with some looks/opportunities, couldn't capitalize on there chances. Reilly Herbst was the Vipers best penalty killer, was very sharp, made some key stops on the PK. The Snakes were hemmed in there own end for a lot of the 2nd period, struggled defensively, didn't see much time in the offensive zone, had very few to little chances. Vernon had troubles clearing the zone, were turning over pucks, couldn't make a pass, looked very disorganized at times in there own end. Vipers with three big PK's. Alberni Valley outshot Vernon 13-7.

3rd Period: The Bulldogs would jump on an early PP inside the opening minute. Jimmy Rayhill's shot from the circle went off the shaft of Reilly Herbst's goal stick. Rayhill would get the puck back and wind up with another slapper that was also denied by the Vernon goaltender. AV with some looks capitalized towards the end of the man advantage. Ryan Doolin spotted Mitch Deelstra, cut Vernon's lead to 4-3 at 2:10 Doolin and Matthew Grouchy picked up the helpers. Less then two minutes later the Bulldogs went back to the power play, had some good looks but unable to capitalize with the man advantage. Just as the penalty expired, Keigo Hachisuka took a high stick from River Fahey. Fahey was sent to the sin bin with the Snakes going on just there third power play of the night. The Vipers struggled with the man advantage, but just before the penalty expired, the Vipers spotted Landon Fuller down low and at the side of the goal. Fuller looked to spin around and bank his shot in and off the back of Luke Pearson, giving Vernon a 5-3 lead at 8:00 Dawson Holt and Matt Kowalski with the assists. On the following play, Jack Glen with a slick pass setup Ben Sanderson all alone in front, tapped the puck into the open cage, for his first goal of the season, giving Vernon a 6-3 lead at 8:34 Glen and Connor Sleeth collected the helpers. This goal seemed to take any kind of life out of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Shortly after with Vernon on an odd man rush, Matt Kowalski looked to get tripped up going to the net, crashed hard into Luke Pearson and the Bulldogs goal. Pearson looked to be shooken up, was checked out by the trainer, looked to be in some discomfort but stayed in the hockey game. Kowalski was ok, was up and to his feet right away. Shortly after the Vipers would head back to the power play. Matt Kowalski with "the lacrosse goal" scored a highlight goal, giving Vernon a commanding 7-3 lead at 11:46 Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell & Ben Helgeson with the assists. This was Kowalski's third goal of the game, as a couple of hats hit the ice as Kowalski was pumping up the crowd with a little showboating goal celebration. Minutes later, Kowalski was very close to scoring his fourth of the evening, got behind the Alberni Valley defence, tried deking out Luke Pearson, before crashing into the Dawgs netminder for a second time this period. Both players were ok as Kowalski gave Pearson a little tap on the pads. Bulldogs head coach/gm Joe Martin was really giving it to the officials as the play was going on, as Martin and the Bulldogs weren't happy with Kowalski crashing into there goaltender. Towards the end of the period, the Snakes would get called for too many men on the ice, sending the Bulldogs to a late power play. AV with a few looks, forced Reilly Herbst into making a few saves as Vernon killed off the minor. The Vipers come away with the 7-3 victory. The Bulldogs scored on an early PP, got to within a goal but couldn't contain the Snakes, allowed three goals in less then four minutes as the wheels fell off in the 3rd period. The Vipers seemed to step up there play and capitalize on two key power play's, put the game away and never really looked back. AV looked good early, had the Vipers hemmed in at times, were causing turnovers but couldn't capitalize on there chances. Specialty teams was the difference in the final twenty minutes. The Dawgs went 1-3 with the man advantage in the 3rd, while the Snakes went 2-2 on the PP in the final frame. Five on five the Snakes were the better team in the 3rd. Vernon seemed to get better as the period went on. Both teams didn't get a lot of pucks to the net. Shots were 8-8.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

Landon Fuller (1 goal & 1 assist) Made a big impact in tonight's game, was very physical, laying out some solid checks. Played very well at both ends of the rink.

Matt Kowalski (3 goals & 2 assists) Scored the goal of the year in the 3rd period with "the lacrosse" style goal, for his third goal of the game. The Vernon product had a heck of a game and one of if not his best game of the season. Kowalski went very quiet and almost pointless in most games since the Christmas break. I'm not sure if he was sick or playing hurt, but the past few weeks hasn't been himself, until breaking out this evening. What a show he put on for the Viper faithful.

Colby Feist (2 assists) Played with some jump and energy, had some chemistry playing alongside Matt Kowalski.

Dawson Holt (2 assists) Is now wearing an "A" was another forward who played very well, was strong at both ends of the rink. Was skating very well, played with a lot of energy, was hard to contain and defend against. Created a lot of open ice, was creating/& generating opportunities.

Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell (1 goal & 1 assist) Looked and played very well in the Vipers victory. I really like the looks of this young kid and look forward to watching his younger brother play in Vernon next season.

Trey Taylor (1 assist) Played well on the Snakes blueline.

Reilly Herbst (24 saves) Was the difference on the penalty kill. The veteran goaltender had to be sharp, was forced to make several key stops on the PK. Made his biggest save off Jacob Bosse in the 2nd period, come across the blue paint to rob the Bulldogs winger of what looked to be a sure goal.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

I don't think Vernon played one of there best games but will definitely take the win and the two points. I thought the Vipers looked flat to start, were outplayed early and back on there heels. The Snakes needed the first six or seven minutes to get there legs going, played well to finish the 1st period. Vernon was outplayed for a lot of the middle frame, were shorthanded for almost six straight minutes, got some strong goaltender on the PK. Specialty teams were the difference in the 3rd with the Vipers going 2-2 with the man advantage, while the Bulldogs went 1-3. AV got to within a goal but two power play goals, put the game away as the Vipers seemed to get better as the final twenty minutes went along. For a team that has been struggling offensively all season, the Vipers have scored fourteen goals in back to back games. Vernon took way too many penalties tonight, not all of the penalties were deserving but you can't take eight minors in a game and expect to win every game. The Vipers got some timely saves from Reilly Herbst on the PK but if the Dawgs PP was clicking, this could have been a different game. The Vipers struggled with there passing tonight, were missing passes, hitting guys in the skates, couldn't make a pass coming out of there own end. The Snakes struggled defensively and in there own end. It seems as if most of the season, Vernon struggles clearing the zone, making that first good pass coming out of there own end and turning over or coughing up pucks inside there own blueline. In almost every period tonight, the Vipers were turning over pucks, making poor passes and decisions, were caught chasing AV running in circles. You wouldn't think mistakes and poor defensive decisions would be made at this time of the season. The Snakes bent at times but didn't break, got some big saves on the PK but also scored some timely goals. I noticed Ben Sanderson no longer has an "A" Dawson Holt was wearing the "A" tonight. Max Bulawka made his Vipers debut this evening and had a few strong shifts. I didn't think he stood out but looked good on a few shifts. Bulawka is wearing jersey #29 while Keegan Karki is wearing jersey #30. Vernon wins the season series over the Bulldogs 2-0. The Snakes have a quick turnaround, travel to Salmon Arm tomorrow afternoon for a big matchup with the Silverbacks. Salmon Arm defeated Alberni Valley 3-2 in overtime Friday, had the night off tonight. How big is tomorrow's game with the two teams tied in points. The Vipers have won back to back games, have won three of there last five games are 5-5 in there last ten. With the win Vernon improves to 22-17-1-1 and move into 3rd place in the Interior division. The Vipers are tied in points with Salmon Arm & Wenatchee are ten points back of 2nd place Trail.

Top Player's: (Alberni Valley)

Jimmy Rayhill I thought played well on the Alberni Valley backend. Not the biggest d-man but was steady all night.

Mitch Deelstra (1 goal) This kid is quick, was hard to contain and defend against. Had some looks/chances, played well in the Bulldogs loss.

Jacob Bosse (1 assist) Not the biggest kid, but quick, can move his feet. Was always involved in the play, had a few quality chances, was making plays happen.

Ryan Doolin (1 assist) Was another forward who had some looks/opportunities, was in and around the goal. I thought was one of the more dangerous forwards.

Game Thought's: (Alberni Valley)

For a team that played last night in Salmon Arm, lost in overtime and had to travel to Vernon, you think the hometown Vipers who had last night off would have been the better of the two teams early. But it was the Dawgs who got off to a good start, opened the scoring, had the Snakes on there heels early. I thought Alberni Valley was dangerous and had most of there opportunities with the PP. Five on five, the hometown Snakes were the better of the two teams. The Bulldogs opened the scoring, but couldn't hold the lead for long, were forced to play from behind for the remainder of the game. Down a goal heading into the middle frame, the Bulldogs gave up an early goal, were down by two in a period where AV went 0-3 with the man advantage. Alberni Valley scores early into the 3rd on the power play, get to within a goal and jump back on the PP but can't capitalize with the man advantage. Instead allow Vernon to score twice with the man advantage and score three goals in less then four minutes. This is when and where the game falls apart for the Dawgs, who lose all momentum and the games basically over at this point as the wheels fell off. If the AV Bulldogs could have clicked with the man advantage, maybe this would have been a different outcome? Five on five the Bulldogs didn't get a lot of offensive zone time, didn't have a lot of time with the puck. It was while on the power play where AV created and generated most of there opportunities, had a ton of zone time and had Vernon back on there heels, hemmed in there own end. Specialty teams was the difference as Vernon went 2-4 while Alberni Valley went 1-8 with the power play. The Vipers won the previous meeting with the Bulldogs, a 4-3 shootout win in Alberni Valley October 26th. Tonight's the second game of a three game road trip. The Bulldogs finish the trip, tomorrow afternoon in West Kelowna. AV has lost three straight and three of there last five. The Bulldogs are 5-5 in there last ten games. With the loss Alberni Valley falls to 21-16-1-2 remain 3rd in the Island division are one point up on Powell River and eleven points back of 2nd place Nanaimo.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Brett Fudger
Logan Cash
Nicholas Kent (Injured)
Max Palaga (Injured-Out for the season)

Alberni Valley:

Jackson Munro
Tommy Bannister
Mattias Del Monte

Energy Player of the Game:

Dawson Holt (2 assists)

Three Star's:

1st Star: Matt Kowalski (3 goals & 2 assists)
2nd Star: Landon Fuller (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell (1 goal & 1 assist)

I have picked a victory song for the Vipers this season. After every win I will play Tarzan Boy by Baltimora

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r0n9Dv6XnY

Boxscore-Game Summary,

https://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/9537

Evan Hammond's Alberni Valley Bulldog's Blog,

http://hammersdogs.blogspot.com/

Game Report,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9537

Text Boxscore,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9537

Please feel free to leave a suggestion or comment in the comment box below. I always enjoy and post all comments as long as there tasteful. Thank you for your comments and visiting my blog.

Here are some photo's I took before and during tonight's Vipers-Bulldogs game.